U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Palestinian Leadership

The U.S. has imposed visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority and PLO officials in response to growing international support for Palestinian statehood, drawing criticism as political retaliation and further isolating Washington diplomatically.

The United States has announced a series of sanctions targeting the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), including visa restrictions for officials from both entities. The decision comes in the wake of growing international momentum toward recognising a Palestinian state, a move that has increasingly left Washington isolated on the global stage.

The U.S. State Department said the measures were in response to what it described as efforts by the PA and PLO to “internationalise the conflict” with Israel, particularly through legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ). Washington also reiterated longstanding accusations that the Palestinian leadership promotes terrorism, citing alleged incitement in educational materials and the continued provision of stipends to prisoners and their families.

The announcement closely followed a United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, where both the United Kingdom and Canada committed to recognising an independent and demilitarised Palestinian state later this year, subject to certain conditions. U.S. officials had privately warned attending nations of diplomatic consequences if they issued what it deemed “anti-Israel” declarations.

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority described the sanctions as “a political reprisal” aimed at punishing recent diplomatic gains. “These campaigns have escalated in response to the significant and successive achievements of Palestinian diplomacy, particularly the recognitions of the State of Palestine by key countries,” the PA said in a statement.

Mustafa Barghouti, founder of the Palestinian National Initiative and a PLO member, condemned the U.S. decision. “Instead of punishing the war criminals in Gaza and the West Bank, the Trump administration is punishing the victims—the Palestinian people,” he told the BBC.

Israel, by contrast, welcomed the move. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump, calling the sanctions “an important action” that highlighted the “moral distortion” of countries that had recognised Palestinian statehood while ignoring the PA’s alleged support for terrorism.

The sanctions come at a time of increased scrutiny of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. While many of its traditional allies now advocate for a two-state solution and have grown increasingly critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Washington continues to defend Israel’s position. The divergence has led to a diplomatic rift that was further exposed at this week’s UN summit.

It remains unclear whether the visa ban will affect officials based at the Palestinian mission to the United Nations in New York. The current Palestinian ambassador and deputy are both U.S. citizens and may be exempt from the restrictions.

The move also coincides with internal pressure on the Palestinian leadership, as human rights groups and international observers continue to question the PA’s governance and commitment to democratic reform. Still, many analysts see the sanctions as a broader signal of the U.S. administration’s reluctance to accommodate the shifting international consensus on Palestinian statehood.

As Washington doubles down on its support for Israel, the sanctions may further complicate efforts to revive peace negotiations and could fuel resentment across the region, potentially isolating the U.S. even further in global diplomatic forums.